As a few of you know from another thread I’ve recently watched the David Attenborough life on our planet. One of the changes I intend on making is have at least one vegetarian meal a week. Bob doesn’t know yet, it’ll be a surprise      . Yes me ( and him who’s even worse & doesn’t know yet ) , the one who has no issue naturally being an omnivore with very high carnivorous tendencies     . So I’d like as many vegetarian or even vegan . I don’t really care what it calls itself as long as it tastes nice. I do have one stipulation. I refuse 110% to eat that meat replacement stuff quorn or any other make/ variety. I’m sorry it might just be me being a bit weird. But I really don’t see the point in meatless sausages, burgers, mince or whatever else they make. 

I’ll be starting with a veggie lasagna one night this week.  
As many recipes as you like please.

My friend has recently signed us both up for a subscription to GW magazine. Which was very kind of her. I had no idea until today when my first issue turned up today. A very interesting review on compost bins. And 2 pages on how to sow our free seeds, that we didn’t get    .
Does anyone else get the magazine?

Today's Blue Monday, supposed to be the most depressing day of the year.

How about sharing all the Blue things that you like - to cheer us up!

I know many of you will be well in front of me in preventative action, but after reading Sc's comment on another thread and something clicked, I have decided to take a step back and stop using, as much as possible, plastic, once all the cell trays that I have are used up I will be using wooden trays for sowing seed with cans and unavoidable purchased plastic bottles for potting on, I will also concentrate on making my own seed and potting compost and once all the larger pots and buckets have been used up I will go back to clay pots
What will you do

Well you should know by now that I like a photo or two. So all photos welcome. 
I have been trying to search through my photos but I can't remember the names of the pods  I did have a reference but sadly thats disappeared into the ether.

Anyway hopefully we can start a new little bean bible again

I love beans, grow many more than I can eat fresh but am not that keen on frozen so I prefer to dry them for use later in the year. They look pretty amazing in a jar or two on the kitchen shelf
too.

Nothing fancy for me - I use two frames made from bamboo. About 24 canes each side. So about 50 canes each...maybe two beans per can, sometimes more. I used to put a bean by each plant but I get rodents eating the beans and then the plants can be disturbed so I don't bother anymore.

And yes, I never learn - everything is always planted too close together

   

No doubt you have came across plant partnerships that help one another, but what about partnerships to avoid, or possibly use to suppress growth of some other plant like yellow rattle to suppress grass though the one I was thinking of is avoid planting marigolds near peas or beans, or avoid planting brassica near potatoes, there are several plants that you should avoid planting beside potatoes, if it hasn't been done previously, could someone start a list that could be added to, to give quick guide of such plants

What would you plant in it?

   

Just knock ideas around. We do need a retaining wall. Not necessarily made of tires. It would be cheap and it could be hidden with lots of trailing plants. I’m thinking for a start aubrieta & thyme. I want low maintenance, low growing trailing perennials. Some evergreens? Fuchsia? Any petunia perennial? Is there a perennial alyssum? As you can see I’m just going through a list of things you’d find in a hanging basket. More flowery gardeners input please.

Does anyone have a list please?

May be of interest to some.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/gr...er_6266128

I know we're just recovering from the 2020 swap but I'm keeping the tempo up with notice of the 2021 Random Seed Swap. This is mainly for commercial seed - either full packets or part packets that you don't need. All seed must have a Sow by date of 2021 or later. Any past its sow by date seeds will be distributed but not count towards your packet count.
The swap will take place in April when most of the spring sowings will be complete but there's still time to make another sowing. 

The usual rules - you can send any number of packets and you'll get the same number of completely different packets back. Can't guarantee that though because you might all send in identical packets.. 
If a seed is unusual or desirable, you can split the packet into 2, but no more as multiple packets the same make it difficult for me to share out.
Please don't split magazine cover seeds as there are always lots of them coming in and you'd probably end up with the same ones back!! 

You'll need to send your seeds, 2 x large postage stamps and your return address to me by  April 9th (just after Easter) but you can send them anytime before then - even next week.. 

Please add your name to this thread if you want to join us.

1. Veggie - Received
2. JJB - Received.
3. Small Chilli - Received
4. Scarlet - Received
5. Broadway - Received
6. Mamzie - Received